Son not graduating

I had all the expectations of having my son experience his senior year like I did, since 9th grade he got into some trouble and has had to catch up on a lot. He wa doing better, hanging out with better friends. All we were waiting on to find out if he wa able to graduate is the mandated state Task test now called Star here in Texas.
Well results came in and he didn't pass, missed it by 4 questions. I feel horrible for him, I know he tried his best but math is his worst subject he has always struggled with it. He has another chance to retake the test in July after remediation classes.
He can still graduate in August but not with his friends.
I'm just so sad for him, he says it doesn't matter that he didn't graduate with hiis classmates all he wants to go is graduate.

Comments (8)

I'm so sorry for all of you. I, myself, didn't graduate with my friends either. I had to take a chemistry summer course then retake the final. I got my diploma but I was upset that I couldn't walk with my friends. When he re-takes the exam this summer and passes make sure you take him out for a special dinner or something like that so he can celebrate.

All this testing really stinks. Not everyone is highly academic and it ends up hurting those kids, not helping. My dd is only 9 and I'm already considering a magnet school for her in high school. Our hs in town is extremely competitive and she's pretty average academically so I do worry about the pressure it's going to put on her. There are a couple of performing arts magnet high schools where I feel she'll fit right in.

Oh my gosh, how sad and frustrating. Math was not my strong suit either, and it's just the way the teach it. I really wish they offered more than one style of teaching, especially for kids who don't 'just get it'.

If he needs help for his summer course, have him watch Khan Academy http://www.khanacademy.org/ This guy is fantastic at explaining math!

I have to say though, your son's attitude about this is incredible. Good for him and well done on you! The fact that he's determined to graduate shows what great character he has.

Like pp I didn't graduate w/my class and had to take Economics...I received my diploma early June, days after graduation. Those dang state exams are worthless...they should just go back to semester final exams.

Just assure him that everything has its affects on life and that he should learn from this, which sounds like he has. Good for him and tell him the timing is perfect for college Fall '13.

Can't he take the SAT's and get a certain passing with them, and the should replace what he got on the state test, Texas works like Fl, so that may be possiable. But I also think it may be too late for him to take the SAT's before graduation.

Is there any way to ensure that the remediation class is teaching what will be covered in the exam? I hate those state level tests - they're ridiculous.

We have them in CT, but they aren't used for allowing children to graduate or not - they simply measure the mastery level of certain subjects. The teachers have to dedicate WAY too much effort into 'teaching to the test'. And I don't mean just what's on the test, but how to take it.

They're systematically eliminating various thought processes in order to make kids think in rigid terms of how to solve problems.

State tests are fast tracks to the elimination of the creative process.